EP2620775B1 - Holder cartridge - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a receiving magazine for receiving a multiplicity of sample carriers elongated along a longitudinal axis, in particular substantially cylindrical sample carriers. It further relates to a method for monitoring the presence of sample carriers and / or sample holders on a magazine tray according to claim 8.

It is known in various institutions, especially in diagnostic medical laboratories, but also in other laboratories and facilities that maintain handling of samples, to automatically treat and move samples filled into sample carriers at least over parts of a procedure.

For example, a sample sorter is known and in the DE 199 12 211 A1 described, with the sample contained in tubular sample carriers, such as samples of body fluids from patients, can be sorted automatically. The sample sorter disclosed therein comprises an entrance area and an exit area, wherein in both areas tableau-like extension tables are present, which can be equipped with sample holders, there also called racks, which sample holders are designed to receive the sample carriers. For manual loading of the extension tables with sample holders or the sample holders on the extension tables with sample carriers, the extension table can be pulled out into a loading position, in which a manual loading is possible. Subsequently, the pull-out table is in a ready position spent, in which the individual sample carriers can be detected and sorted with a robot gripper.

Such automated sorting not only reduces labor costs in an appropriate laboratory, it also reduces the susceptibility to errors and can speed up operations. However, such automation is not limited to sample sorters manifested in a single device, as described in US Pat DE 199 12 211 A1 It is also conceivable to position similar recording magazines in automated analysis systems, from where, for example, an automatic analysis section is loaded with individual samples or where at the end of an automated analysis section samples that have passed through them are collected and temporarily stored prior to manual removal become.

US2011 / 115610 describes an archive for laboratory samples. The samples are stored in store and when opening and closing the store information about these samples is read by means of RFID readers. The shops have no displacement sensor and information about the loading of the store is not detected when reading the RFID chips.

Typically, such receiving magazines, as the known Probensortierer according to DE 199 12 211 A1 has in its input area or its output area, manual equipped or emptied, including an operator in the DE 199 12 211 A1 slidable magazine trays from the standby position into the loading position (either pulls up mechanically or moves by a motor), in order then to set or remove corresponding sample holders or to remove sample carriers from the sample holders remaining on the magazine tray or to place them in this appropriate sample carrier.

Like any human intervention, this manual assembly constitutes a source of error. For example, an operator can miss the removal of one or more sample holders or sample carriers or sample carriers arranged thereon and the magazine tray can be moved back into the ready position prematurely in the event of a magazine tray to be emptied. It is also conceivable that, for example, given a manual entry of the completed placement of a magazine tray in an area in which sample carriers are fed into an automated system, false information is given, certain places for sample carriers or sample holders are indicated as not occupied, in which there are sample carriers or sample holders, or vice versa. All of this can inevitably lead to errors in an ensuing automated procedure in that sample holders to be manipulated can not be taken by an automated system if the corresponding positions are designated as "unoccupied" or by acting as a supposedly unoccupied position in a storage area guided positions in which sample carriers have been left inadvertently, another sample carrier is turned off, resulting in a collision, in the worst case destruction of the sample carrier and thus, for example in the case of an automated medical diagnostic system to contamination of this system with, for example, a blood sample, a urine sample or the like ., And thus a system standstill for a decontamination to be carried out. Conversely, it is also possible that in a region in which samples are to be stored, a sample carrier should be placed in a sample holder supposedly present there without the sample holder actually being located there. In this case, the sample carrier would not be taken safely, it could also lead to an accident and at worst a contamination of the system.

Since fees paid for the individual analysis are extremely low in particular modern medical laboratory analyzes, a medical laboratory can only work economically if it is driving a high throughput of samples. A failure of an automated analysis system means there a particularly high economic damage.

This problem described above is to be counteracted by the invention by providing a simple and reliable detection option with which the presence of sample holders or sample carriers on the magazine tray can be detected and compensated for with expected values.

This object is achieved with regard to the device by a receiving magazine with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of such a receiving magazine are characterized in the dependent claims 2 to 7. Another aspect of the solution of this task consists in a Method for monitoring the presence of sample carriers and / or sample holders on a magazine tray having the features of claim 8. Further developments of the method are shown in the dependent claims 9 to 12.

The essential approach of the invention is now to install at least one stationary on the receiving magazine (in particular with respect to the sliding magazine tray) arranged non-contact detector for detecting the presence of objects for monitoring the presence of sample holder (s) or sample carrier (s) , which covers with a sensor area the area that is swept over when moving the magazine tray of sample holder (s) or sample carrier (s). In addition, a displacement sensor is provided which detects a displacement or a current position of the magazine tray when moving the same between the loading position and the standby position. The data acquired by this sensor combination, that is to say the detector and the displacement sensor, are correlated in an evaluation unit. Thus, with the solution according to the invention, a statement can be made about a position on the magazine tray at which a sample holder or sample carrier has been detected by the detector.

The correlation of the data can be done either directly by merging the data acquired by the detector with the values simultaneously sensed by the displacement sensor into a value tuple, but this can also be done with the interposition of further parameters, e.g. a time value which is clocked predetermined by the evaluation unit or a control assigned to the respective data of the detector or displacement sensor, wherein over equal time values then in the evaluation unit, a correlation between the values or data outputs of the detector and the displacement sensor is produced.

The non-contact detector may in particular be a light barrier, with advantage a transmittive light barrier (although basically a reflective light barrier is also possible). A photocell makes a special simple, inexpensive and space-saving to manufacture and integrable in the system of the recording magazine possibility of such a detector.

The displacement sensor may be an incremental sensor which detects in particular optically or magnetically. This type of embodiment of the displacement sensor also represents a realization which can be implemented cost-effectively and can be easily integrated into the receiving magazine. However, other forms of displacement sensors may also be used, such as electrical sensors (for example potentiometers or absolute encoders). It is also generally possible to integrate the displacement sensor in a drive when the drawer-like magazine tray moves motor driven.

In order to be able to make a statement, in particular in a single measuring operation both with regard to the presence of sample holders and with regard to the presence of sample carriers, or alternatively to be able to make statements about height extensions of said elements, it is advantageous if at least two, but in particular a plurality of are provided in a detection area vertically stacked non-contact detectors, in a positioning as specified in claim 5. In particular, if a narrow-meshed array of detectors is provided in this case, a profile of sample carriers or holders arranged on the magazine tray can be recorded with the measured values of these detectors with the aid of a corresponding evaluation unit, which provides more specific information about the type of loading of the magazine tray allows. For example, certain sample holders can be identified on the basis of geometric dimensions if different sample holders which can be inserted on the magazine tray have different geometric dimensions in the direction of the displacement path of the magazine tray or in the vertical direction. It is also fundamentally possible to detect differently sized sample carriers and possibly to draw conclusions about certain samples, if these are typically located in sample carriers of specific dimensions.

Typical sample carriers, such as those used in particular in medical analysis and diagnostic laboratories, are cylindrical receiving rings, in particular made of plastic. These extend with their longitudinal axis in corresponding sample holders in the vertical direction, so that with a preferably provided as described in the described advantageous embodiment grid of a plurality of vertically stacked detectors, e.g. their length, as well as possibly at different widths whose width can be detected. It is also possible to arrange several rows of vertically stacked detectors next to each other to obtain an even denser sensor image.

In principle, it is possible, for example, by specifying a specific placement of the magazine tray with sample holders or sample carriers, to output an alarm in the case of a detected by the sensor according to the invention divergent actually existing equipment, so that an operator to control the loading condition of the recording magazine and adjust if necessary or the System can communicate the correct equipment. In this way, collisions or other malfunctions of an automated system, in which the receiving magazine according to the invention is integrated, can be reliably prevented.

Even if the solution according to the invention can not produce a resolution of the detection with respect to a substantially horizontal direction running transversely to the direction of movement of the magazine tray, while likewise only perceiving a projection, it still provides a particularly simple additional control which is sufficient for the practical application simple means helps to detect errors and thus to prevent consequential damage or subsequent malfunction of a provided with the receiving magazine automated system.

Fig. 1

in einer perspektivischen Ansicht wesentliche Bestandteile eines Ausführungsbeispiels für ein erfindungsgemäßes Aufnahmemagazin;

Fig. 2

ein durch Auswertung der Messergebnisse des berührungslos arbeitenden Detektors zum Detektieren des Vorhandenseins von Gegenständen in seinem Sensorbereich sowie des Wegsensors in der Auswerteeinheit erhaltenes Messprofil; und

Fig. 3

einen vergrößerten Ausschnitt der Darstellung aus Fig. 1 in einem dort mit III bezeichneten Bereich.

Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description of an embodiment with reference to the accompanying figures. Showing:

Fig. 1

in a perspective view essential components of an embodiment of an inventive recording magazine;

Fig. 2

a measurement profile obtained by evaluating the measurement results of the non-contact detector for detecting the presence of objects in its sensor area and the displacement sensor in the evaluation unit; and

Fig. 3

an enlarged section of the presentation Fig. 1 in an area marked III.

In the figures, an exemplary embodiment schematically shows some of the essential components of a receiving magazine according to the invention. In the following, these figures and on the basis of an exemplary embodiment of a possible implementation of a recording magazine according to the invention will be described.

In Fig. 1 are as essential components of a Aufnahme_magazins invention in a possible embodiment, a drawer-like substantially horizontally displaceable magazine tray 1 and a stationary arranged on a corresponding base of the receiving magazine pair of mutually opposite in substantially to the longitudinal extension and movement direction of the magazine tray 1 perpendicular direction opposite, itself shown substantially vertically extending sensor strips 2 and 3. These sensor strips 2, 3 are, as already stated, rigidly and fixedly connected to a base of the receiving magazine, which is not shown here in detail; relative to this base, the magazine tray 1 is drawer-like and substantially horizontally displaceable.

In the sensor strips 2, 3 sit in trained therein, in the vertical direction superimposed openings 4 and 5 corresponding elements of a detector array, which is a light barrier arrangement in this embodiment. For this purpose, in pairs in horizontally aligned openings 4 and 5 of the sensor strips 2 and 3 respectively optical transmitter and an optical Receiver or an optical transmitter / receiver and a reflector arranged. With these elements can be recorded in height profile of detected objects in a manner to be described later.

In one in the Fig. 3 enlarged illustrated lower portion, the magazine tray 1 on a plurality of equidistantly arranged markings 6, which may for example consist of highly reflective elements, from there introduced into the material of the magazine tray depressions or the like. Vertically covering a region of these markings 6, an opening 7 can be seen in the sensor strip 2, in which a corresponding sensor is arranged, which has a detection section in the direction of the markings 6 and can detect them. With this arrangement, a displacement sensor is realized, which detects at a relative displacement of the magazine tray 1 relative to the sensor bar 2, the passing deleting markings and thus detects a progressive displacement of the magazine tray 1.

On the magazine tableau 1 are in the Fig. 1 a total of three successively arranged sample carrier 8, 9, 10 shown. These are freely attachable to the magazine tray 1, provided with holding openings 11 receiving blocks for tube-shaped sample holder. The sample carriers 8, 9 and 10 are equipped in the illustration shown in different ways with sample holders. Thus, a plurality of sample holders 12 of a first type is arranged on the sample carrier 8, wherein in a left-hand row shown in the figure on the left only a single sample holder is arranged, two subsequent rows of holding openings free of sample carriers, that is bare, four subsequent rows are completely equipped with sample holders 12 and subsequently three further rows with holding openings are unpopulated.

On the following sample carrier 9, however, a sample holder 13 is arranged only in a rear position of the second row with holding openings 11. The sample holder 13 is shorter compared to the sample holders 12 of different dimensions, in particular in its longitudinal extension, thus projects less high out of the holding opening 11.

The sample carrier 10 is completely empty.

Between the sample carriers 8, 9 and 10 a distance is left in each case frontally.

The recording magazine shown in the embodiment with essential components now works as follows:

If the magazine tray 1 relative to the base not shown here and thus relative to the sensor strips 2 and 3 in the horizontal direction, for example, from a loading position in which the sample holder and / or sample carrier can be loaded manually (this loading position, for example when the magazine tray 1 is fully extended, if this is in Fig. 1 completely opposite the sensor strips 2 and 3 is shifted in the direction shown in the figure to the right, are) in a standby position (then in the Fig. 1 with complete displacement in the left-hand region relative to the sensor strips 2, 3), the detectors arranged in the openings 4 and 5 of the sensor strips 2 and 3, in this case light barriers, each detect signals of the objects located in their sensor path sample holders 8, 9 At the same time by means of the above-described interaction in the opening 7 of the sensor bar 2 arranged sensor with the attached mark on the magazine tray 6 a distance traveled of the magazine tray determined. Because of the arrangement of a plurality of sensor elements in the vertical direction arranged one above the other on the sensor strips 2, 3, different numbers of the sensors emit a signal at different heights of the detected objects. For flatter items, the higher sensors will not output a signal.

The respectively detected signals of the sensors arranged in the openings 4, 5 and of the displacement sensor are correlated with each other fed to an evaluation unit, not shown here, where combined to form a placement profile, as for the in the Fig. 1 illustrated situation in Fig. 2 is shown. Schematically, the individual signals 14, which in the opening 7 in the lower section arranged sensor detects upon detection of each passing in his detection field marking 6, shown, wherein this representation does not match the actual scale, but is only schematically. In fact, considerably more markers 6 are arranged than individual signals 14 are illustrated here.

The detector evaluation or the profile in Fig. 2 is shown in the same orientation as used for the evaluated placement pattern of the magazine tray 1 in FIG Fig. 1 given is. That is, the left-side beginning of the profile course in Fig. 2 corresponds to that in the Fig. 1 On the left side shown edge region of the magazine tray 1 and arranged thereon assembly with sample holders and sample carriers. In the Fig. 2 can be seen on the far left and designated 15 is the profile for the front edge of the magazine tray 1. Then, the light barrier arrangement detects as a detector for the presence of objects, the leading edge of the first sample holder 8, which is shown in the profile section 16. At 17, the vertically higher-order light barrier sensors on the sensor strips 2 and 3 then also detect the presence of an object, this signal section 17 corresponds to the leftmost sample holder 12. Subsequently, the profile profile again detects the contour of the sample carrier 8 and moves in the region 18 again upwards, that is, the arranged in vertical height light barrier elements in the sensor strips 2 and 3 detect there the four successive rows of sample carriers 12 on the sample holder 8 with a vertical profile drop in the respective spaces.

In section 19, the profile profile drops vertically further, ie further vertically higher arranged light barrier sensors, which have previously struck due to the sample carrier 8, give no signal, since there is space between the end sides of the sample carrier 8 and the sample carrier 9. The subsequent vertical rise of the profile indicates the presence of the sample holder 9, wherein in section 20 a further vertical increase indicates the presence of the sample carrier 13, in which Fig. 2 Here a profile profile is shown for a slightly different arrangement of the sample carrier 13 with respect to the Fig. 1 namely, instead of one in the second row with openings 11 in the first, the leftmost row of this sample holder 9 arranged sample carrier 13th

In the further course of the profile follows, which output the detector unit of photoelectric sensors in the sensor strips 2 and 3 in combination with the track detected by the displacement sensor, the actual height profile of the sample holder 9. In a further section 21 then takes place a further vertical profile collapse, the Gap between the sample holder 9 and the sample holder 10 is owed. The subsequent rise of the profile shows the sample holder 10 and its profile, wherein the straight-line detected profile profile indicates that the sample holder 10 does not contain sample carriers.

In the evaluation unit, this profile profile or this detected profile image can be further evaluated and used for corresponding instructions for automatic loading and unloading of the sample holder, for example in an input or output area of an automated sample handling device, which may in particular comprise a robot for detecting and displacing individual sample carriers become. Thus, in the profile picture taken here, the controller first recognizes that on the magazine tray 1 a total of three sample holders are arranged with sample carriers on the first sample holder 8 and the second sample holder 9 and a sample holder 10 not equipped with samples. Furthermore, the system can in any case be transversely To determine the direction of displacement of the magazine tray 1 position of populated and not equipped rows with holding openings as well as different types of sample holders 12 and 13 differ due to the different profile heights, located in the in Fig. 2 shown profile height of the profile profile 17 and in the area 18 on the one hand and in section 20 on the other hand express. This information can now be used to release correspondingly unpopulated rows of holding openings on sample carriers, to output a disturbance, for example, if no sample holder is arranged in a section intended for loading, and the like.

If the sensor device in the sensor strips 2 and 3 not only as in Fig. 2 shown a profile, but at the same time determines by a distance measurement to the respective detected sample carriers, in which position seen in the transverse direction to the direction of the magazine tray 1 a sample carrier 12, 13 is arranged, which in the embodiment shown in particular then possible from both lateral edges is when the light barrier elements are each mutually arranged in the openings 4 and 5, that is, in each case a transmitter or transceiver below and vertically above the same a receiver or reflector and vice versa. Thus, further information can be obtained which can be evaluated for more accurate control of the system and prevention of errors.

The illustrated embodiment is solely illustrative of the invention and is not to be considered as limiting.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Magazine Tableau

2

sensor bar

3

sensor bar

4

opening

5

opening

6

mark

7

opening

8th

sample carrier

9

sample carrier

10

sample carrier

11

holding opening

12

sample holder

13

sample holder

14

individual signals

15

profile

16

Profillabschnitt

17

profile section

18

Area

19

section

20

section

21

section

Claims (12)

1. A holder cartridge for holding a plurality of sample carriers (12, 13), elongated along a longitudinal axis, which are in particular substantially cylindrical, in at least a sample holder (8, 9, 10) arranged for holding several such sample carriers for automated handling of individual such sample carriers (12, 13), in particular to remove them from and/or to insert them into the sample holders, in particular for use in an inlet or an outlet area of an automated sample handling device, whereas the holder cartridge contains the following items:

   a cartridge tray (1), substantially mobile horizontally, in a drawer-like manner, between a ready position, in which the holder cartridge is ready for automated handling of the individual sample carriers (12, 13), and a loading position, in which sample carriers (12, 13) and/or sample holders (8, 9, 10) can be inserted or removed manually, a tray on which said at least one sample holder (8, 9, 10) is arranged or can be arranged, characterised by a loading detection means for detecting the loading level of the cartridge tray (1) with sample holders (8, 9, 10) and/or sample carriers (12, 13) for moving the cartridge tray (1) between the loading position and the ready position with the following components:

   a) at least one detector functioning contactless for detecting the presence of objects in a sensing area, which is provided in a movement path of sample holders (8, 9, 10) and/or sample carriers (12, 13) situated on the cartridge tray (1), is arranged in such a way that it can detect sample holders (8, 9, 10) and/or sample carriers (12, 13) arranged on the cartridge tray (1) and passing through its sensing area;

   b) a displacement sensor, which detects a displacement path or a current position of the cartridge tray (1) when the latter moves between the loading position and the ready position and

   c) an interpreting unit, in which the data of the detector and of the displacement sensor are combined, then correlated as regards the presence of at least one sample holder (8, 9, 10) and/or the sample carrier (12, 13)and interpreted to determine the displacement position of the displacement path.
2. A holder cartridge according to claim 1, characterised in that the detector functioning contactless is a photoelectric barrier.
3. A holder cartridge according to claim 2, characterised in that the detector functioning contactless is a transmittive photoelectric barrier.
4. A holder cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the displacement sensor is an incremental sensor, in particular for optical or magnetic detection.
5. A holder cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it contains at least two, in particular a plurality of contactless detectors arranged vertically on top of each other in a detection area, which are provided in positions which are brushed over in projection by sample holders (8, 9, 10) and sample carriers (12; 13), arranged on the cartridge tray (1) when the latter is moving.
6. A holder cartridge according to claim 5, characterised in that the interpreting unit is designed for holding a profile of sample carriers (12, 13) and holders (8, 9, 10) provided on the cartridge tray (1) and sensed by the detectors arranged vertically on top of each other.
7. A holder cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the interpreting unit is provided for generating an alarm signal, if a sample holder (8, 9, 10) or a sample carrier (12, 13) is detected or not in correlation to a pre-set position.
8. A method for monitoring the presence of sample carriers and/or sample holders, elongated along a longitudinal axis which are in particularly substantially cylindrical, for accommodating such sample carriers on a tray of a holder cartridge, which is substantially mobile horizontally, in a drawer-like manner between a ready position and a loading position for receiving a plurality of such sample carriers in at least one sample holder, whereas sample holders and/or sample carriers are detected by means of at least one detector functioning contactless for detecting the presence of objects, as said holders and carriers pass in a sensing area of the cartridge tray when the latter is moving, whereas the displacement path of the cartridge tray is determined moreover by means of a displacement sensor as said tray moves and whereas the displacement path and the detection of the detector are correlated in such a way that a displacement position at which the presence of a sample holder and/or of a sample carrier is determined, is linked together to the detection signal of the determined sample holder and/or sample carrier to obtain a data set.
9. The method according to claim 8, characterised in that a projection profile of the sample holders and/or sample carriers is recorded by two detectors or more during the displacement of the cartridge tray and is correlated with a position of the cartridge tray along the displacement path, said position being determined by the displacement sensor.
10. The method according to claim 9, characterised in that a projection profile is recorded on the sample holder arranged on the cartridge tray and the type of said sample holder is defined using the geometrical dimensions of the projection profiles of a recognised projection of a sample holder and by adjusting said dimensions with known dimensions of different types of sample holders which can be arranged on the cartridge tray.
11. A method according to any of the claims 9 to 10, characterised in that a projection profile is recorded on the sample carrier arranged on the cartridge tray and the type of said sample carrier is defined using the geometrical dimensions of the projection profiles of a recognised projection of a sample carrier and by adjusting said dimensions with known dimensions of different types of sample carriers which can be arranged on the cartridge tray.
12. The method according to any one of the claims 8 to 11, characterised in that an alarm is generated in the unexpected presence and/or the absence of a sample holder and/or a sample carrier, with respect to a set-situation.

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